The British are often known for their penchant for abbreviating even the simplest of words, but according to a new study, we risk leaving tourists completely baffled.
To help overseas visitors make sense of the lingo, a UK-based travel company has put together a handy guide to help them understand what our weird and wonderful abbreviations really mean.
Evan Evans’ list of abbreviations includes phrases like “savvy b”, “panny d”, and “Jacky p”.
According to the company’s research, most people over 50 have no idea about the new phrases that are increasingly being used by millennials and Gen Z.
Meanwhile, some Britons have even suggested that “tourists should be given a phrasebook containing these abbreviations when they arrive in the UK.”
UK TikTokers including @MegSays were also quick to share their favourite abbreviations, with Genny Lec, Platty Joobs and Corrie Nash topping the list.
Meanwhile, @JeffThurn, who is originally from the US but lives in London, shared a video about abbreviations for Americans in the UK.
The travel operator’s study revealed that 45 per cent of Britons of all ages are completely unaware of some new phrases coined by the TikTok generation, including “cozzie livs” (cost of living crisis) and “banny hols” (bank holiday weekend).
Kayon Hibbert, Evan Evans Guides Manager, said: ‘The English language has been continually evolving for many hundreds of years, and it’s fascinating to see how common words and phrases are developing in the 2020s thanks to social media.
‘Our tour guides are always asked what certain words mean; we also noticed that a blog post on British slang words had become the most searched and viewed page, with overseas tourists getting in touch with us before visiting the UK. That’s why Evan Evans has introduced a new blog guide on British abbreviations to help.
‘British people have always loved a good abbreviation; the challenge for tourists who don’t live here, and clearly for many people who do, is keeping up with the latest words and phrases popularised by social media influencers.’
This comes as UK-based TikTok creators including @MegSays were also quick to share their favourite abbreviations, with “Genny Lec”, “Platty Joobs” and “Corrie Nash” topping the list.
In one clip, which racked up more than 8,000 likes, Megan listed some of the top abbreviations she had heard, including “Corrie Naysh” for the Coronation of the King.
She said: ‘I just found out that we’re going to call him Genny Lec and it makes me feel nostalgic and very patriotic.
‘Here are some of my favourite British abbreviations, firstly Genny Lec, the reason it scratches my brain so much is because it sounds like Gen Elec, but we’re saying Genny Lec.
‘Also Platty Jubes for the Platinum Jubilee, Corrie Naysh for the Coronation of the King, the event wasn’t for me but I also saw people calling it Chazzle Dazzle and that’s objectively funny.
Staying on the London theme, if you don’t call Clapham Junction Clappy J, I won’t know where you’re referring to. Plus, it’s the Vicky Line and the Lizzie Line.
Meanwhile, @JeffThurn, who is originally from the US but lives in London, shared a video about abbreviations for Americans in the UK.
He said: ‘British people love abbreviations, especially with the letter Z. For example, sorry becomes soz, holiday becomes holz, if your name is Gary you might be known as Gaz… the list honestly goes on, and I think it’s adorable.’
Kayon Hibbert, Evan Evans Guides Manager, said: ‘The English language has been continually evolving for many hundreds of years, and it’s fascinating to see how common words and phrases are developing in the 2020s thanks to social media.
‘Our tour guides are always asked what certain words mean; we also noticed that a blog post on our website about British slang words had become the most searched and viewed page, with overseas tourists getting in touch before visiting the UK.
‘That’s why Evan Evans has introduced a new blog guide on British abbreviations to help.
‘British people have always loved a good abbreviation; the challenge for tourists who don’t live here, and clearly for many people who do, is keeping up with the latest words and phrases popularised by social media influencers.’
This comes as pop culture around the world has embraced the term “brat summer” coined by Essex pop star Charli XCX and her new album, which features US presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
“Kamala is a spoiled brat,” the artist insisted on social media. Her X-rated post has been viewed more than 50 million times.
With Gen Z slang being used in the front lines of one of the most historic elections in decades, it’s time to brush up on your lingo.
Here, FEMAIL has compiled a list of some popular terms circulating in the internet realm, including “rizz,” “ate,” and “stan.”
But how many do you know? Take the test to find out…
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